A QUICK-thinking passer-by raised the alarm as flames from burning bins threatened to spread to a nursery.

Arsonists have been blamed for setting light to a bin compound in the grounds of the Gloucester Street Day Nursery in Gloucester Street, Atherton, last night.

The fire engulfed several bins and piles of boxes and rubbish. Severe heat cracked the nursery windows and threatened to spread.

Firefighters said it was lucky a passer-by spotted smoke or the blaze could have engulfed the nursery.

Crews spent more than three hours damping down the embers of the fire and dismantling the bin compound.

A boiler house was also damaged from smoke.